Member Review

I got an ARC copy of this book thanks to Algonquin Press and NetGalley. I have absolutely loved spending some time reading Nicole Melleby's work. I think she has a fantastic way of identifying big emotions that young people do not have the language and knowledge to express. I have seen myself as a child reflected in so many of these moments of low self-esteem, so I think her work can be an excellent teaching tool for young readers.

In this novel, Joey is an eight year old struggling with anger - lots of anger. She understands that it pushes people away, and she understands that people are afraid of her, but what she does not understand is what this anger is rooted in. She compares herself to her triplets, her moms, and the people around her. When a science project about nature vs. nurture arises, she delves into a scary question - why am I like this?

This is an important novel for pre-teens. Not only does it address anger as a big emotion, but we see LGBTQ+ representation, discussions on in-vitro fertilization, integration of blended families, and themes on friendships, bullying, belonging, and genetics. There are a lot of young people that will see elements of themselves reflected here, and I think it will allow them to gain a deeper understanding that nothing is wrong with them.